Pakistan became the new chair of the UN nuclear watchdog’s governing body on Monday, despite being outside a global anti-nuclear arms pact.
Western diplomats have suggested they do not see the choice as ideal because — like India, North Korea and Israel — Pakistan has shunned the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) that is at the heart of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work.
But Western powers did not oppose the nominee of a group of Middle East and South Asia member states at a meeting of the IAEA board on Monday, which approved the choice by acclamation, one diplomat who attended the closed-door session said.
Pakistan is a longstanding member of the Vienna-based IAEA and the choice was within its rules.
The one-year board chair position rotates between regions, who put forward their own nominee, and entails chairing debates of the IAEA’s 35-nation decision-making body and helping them reach consensus decisions.
It does not give Pakistan individual powers to decide UN nuclear policy. Malaysia currently chairs the board.
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